Fiestas de Octubre Guadalajara &
Day of the Dead Celebrations 2023

Guadalajara Gay Pride Marcha de la Diversidad 2023

In Jalisco, the city of Guadalajara celebrates their passion for music, culture, art, sports and gastronomy throughout October. Choose from more than 20 musical and cultural shows plus exhibits, culinary spaces and a wide variety of endless fun.

• Are you visiting Guadalajara? The Central or eastern area of Zona Centro makes the perfect base to explore the city. It is full of pedestrian-only streets, charming hotels, and feels safe. The DoubleTree by Hilton Guadalajara Centro Historico is rated fabulous and has a wide range of breakfast options, rooms with great views and high-end amenities.

The Festival

• Each year has a unique theme, and there are plenty of free events to see and so much great food to try! The month ends with the fantastic spectacle of the Day of the Dead celebration.

The Original Procession

• On October 12, a procession honouring Our Lady of Zapopan celebrates the feast day of the Virgin of Zapopan. Around dawn, her small, dark figure begins the 5-hour ride from the Cathedral of Guadalajara to the suburban Basilica of Zapopan.
• The original icon dates from the mid-1500s; the procession began 200 years later. Today, crowds spend the night along the route and vie for position as the Virgin approaches. She travels in a gleaming new car (virginal, in that it must never have had the ignition turned on), which her caretakers pull through the streets.

Other activities and parades

• The celebration has grown into a month-long event, Fiestas de Octubre, which kicks off with an enormous parade, usually on the first Sunday or Saturday of the month. Festivities include performing arts, charreadas (rodeos), bullfights, art exhibits, regional dancing, a food fair, and a Day of Nations incorporating all the consulates in Guadalajara.
• Events take place across the city at various locations. Several of the concerts are held in the Benito Juárez auditorium with a capacity of 10,000 people.

Day of the Dead Festivities in  Guadalajara

• The festival of October ends with the Day of the dead celebrations. Guadalajara is considered the cultural hub of Mexico, and there are several scheduled festivities for Dia de Los Muertos.
• Calaverandia – Described as a “new dramatically designed theme park reminiscent of the award-winning movie Coco”, where you can explore more than 20 different attractions. Highlights include the Underworld forest, the interactive cemetery, and the trajinera boat rides on the lake. Don’t miss the light and sound show that explains the meaning of Dia de Los Muertos.
• Tlaquepaque – Vibrant neighbourhood and host to all of the Dia de Los Muertos celebrations starting in the afternoon and continuing late into the night. The cobblestone streets are full of trendy shops, food booths and bars offering tasty tequila cocktails. Don’t miss the “Catrina Bridal Parade”! It’s equal parts terrifying and mesmerizing! It’s set up like a full-on fashion show, except the participants dress up in their best bridal wear and skull faces!

Gay Events during the Fiestas de Octubre

• Fiestas de Octubre brings hundreds of thousands of people to the city, and the city’s gay bars swell with visitors, especially on parade day and during the weekends. Most of the bars host theme nights and parties during the festivities.
• Stay close to the beautiful historic centre close to the Guadalajara Cathedral, and you are just a short ride from both neighbourhoods. The 3-star, Six Hotel Guadalajara Degollado offers excellent value and modern rooms in the centre. Try the 4-star Hotel Morales for something more colonial in a historic building with a beautiful pool in the heart of the downtown area.

Gay Guadalajara

• The gayest city in Mexico, Guadalajara, has two gay neighbourhoods, one in the historic centre and one in the Zona Rosa. The city has a huge gay culture and has remained authentic as it is often missed by tourists who shuttle between Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta.
• Centro Historico is popular with locals, and the atmosphere spills out onto the pedestrian streets at night. Drinks are cheap, and the atmosphere is friendly, if not downright cruisy and very authentic. Most of the activities here happen at night.
• The other hot spot is the upscale neighbourhood of the Zona Rosa (around Av Chapultepec). Here the gay bars and clubs tend to be larger, and drinks prices are higher. Venues are busy during the day and night with lots of bars with outdoor patios, larger discos and shops.

Gay Bars & Clubs in Guadalajara

Guadalajara boasts over 15 gay bars, saunas and clubs. Hare are some of the most popular:

• California’s bar – Fun bar with an eclectic mix of clientele and sexy gogos, hot guys and Latin pop.
• Babel Club – One of the best clubs in the city, hosting regular theme nights and pride parties, drag shows & dancing.
• Cabaret Bar – Trendy bar with several shows – reserve to get on the entry list ahead of time as it can fill up fast.
• El Arenal – Cruising Club with darkroom, sauna, video rooms and more.
• El Sótano – Stripper shows, massage, super clean and recently renovated.
• Renacer Day Spa – Gay Sauna with massage service and weekend pool parties.

Recommended Hotels

Here are the hotels we recommend with good reviews, close to all the action:

Hotel Casino Plaza,  Hotel Real Maestranza,  Hotel de Mendoza, Hotel Dali Plaza Executive